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DDS commissioner reports on 'silly season' in legislature, housing needs and GTI improvements
Summary
Commissioner Jordan Sheff told the council the legislature is in 'silly season' with many bills being rewritten; he flagged ongoing work on higher‑level care and housing placements, engagement with federal partners, and management work to reduce GTI error rates while acknowledging recurring issues affecting some families.
Jordan Sheff, commissioner for the Department of Developmental Services, opened the council’s update by describing the current legislative period as a "silly season," in which the governor’s budget and many bills are being revised and rewritten by lawmakers.
Sheff said DDS staff and his leadership team are responding to numerous requests from legislators, and that the department has been engaged in hearings including a recent single state audit appearance before the government oversight committee. He reported active coordination with the governor’s office, the state’s federal liaison in Washington, and members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation on federal funding and policy questions that could affect Medicaid‑funded services.
On service delivery issues, Sheff said DDS is working with families, public‑health partners and private providers to create more opportunities for higher levels of care and permanent housing for people who need it. He identified the fiscal intermediary (GTI) improvements as ongoing work: "their error rate gets smaller and smaller," he said, but added some families continue to face repeat problems and his team is using subcontractor project management support to manage escalations.
Sheff encouraged council members to connect families who are struggling to his inbox so staff can assist, and said he would be available briefly before leaving for travel to take questions from members.
